Saturday, February 25, 2017

February 25

After being sick for several days my head was swimming and I was unable to put thoughts together and think clearly. So I laid on the couch hoping for a break, a reprieve, or anything that would relieve me of my misery. I took all kinds of medications just to try and find a combination that worked, all to no avail. Begging the Father wasn't working, I had to let it run its course. Then one morning I woke up and many of the symptoms had disappeared; there was hope on the horizon. I know many people wake up feeling sick everyday not knowing when or if their pain will be relieved, they plead with the Father for help but hear nothing. I have no remedy, just don't stop praying. Even some of God's brightest stars from the Bible suffered. Paul, the writer of most of the New Testament suffered with what he called a thorn in his side. God can still use you, so allow His power to prevail in your weakness.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Friday, February 24, 2017

February 24

I cannot even explain how beautiful first light can be during the early morning; especially when the low clouds from the coming storm reflected the light of the early sun and give a brightness and vibrancy to all of God's creation. The birds are awake now and singing their hearts out as they look for food to fill their hungry bellies. Even though we are not of this world, God did not leave us here with miserable surroundings; He gave us a taste of the life we will have once He removes the evil that currently exists. Imagine the majesty of a world without evil. It will be a world with no death or disease, no pain or suffering, or heartbreak and tears. Just let that sink in a minute. We are a blessed people who trust in the Lord. There is a lot to be thankful for just because we are a part of the kingdom of heaven. 

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4

Thursday, February 23, 2017

February 23

We have a representative of the Godhead that was given to us as down payment for our promised inheritance. He is with us at all times. In the Old Testament days, God only gave His spirit to certain people. He would rest upon them for a while as they needed Him, and then He would depart. After Jesus died, rose again and ascended into heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell with us permanently until His return. When you accepted Jesus as your Savior, the Holy Spirit came to dwell within you. He is always there, but your own sin may keep you from hearing Him. This is why you should have a repentant heart. He is our light that guides us through the darkness. If that light becomes dim because of sin, we become closer to the darkness than to the light, and our actions will reflect the way of the world instead of Jesus; then the peace and joy that comes from Jesus will no longer be felt.

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

February 22

I was using the water hose in my yard and dropped the end in the pool so I wouldn't waste water on the deck. Our pool runs low on water occasionally so it really wasn't a big deal. I began doing something else and got sidetracked. It wasn't until the next day that I realized what I had done, I left the water running. Not only did it overflow the pool, but because we have a high iron content in our water, the pool became a rusty mess. It took me a week to get it clean. Sometimes a careless mistake can cause us so much trouble. This same thing can happen when we run our mouth and don't control our tongue. If we just open our mouth and let filth flow out we will ruin our good reputation as a Christian. The difference between cleaning up the mess in the pool and cleaning up the mess from an unbridled tongue is that it may take longer than a week to restore your good name. Don't be careless with your words. 

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? James 3:10-11

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

February 21

You will encounter those whose hearts are so hard that no matter how eloquent and convincing your words are, they won't hear you. You can tell them about your experiences, give many examples of how much Jesus loves them, share the peace you have because of Him, but your words will fall on deaf ears. Jesus knew you would encounter people like this and gave us the example of the rich man, who ended up in Hell, and Lazarus, who was poor and lame his entire life but was now receiving comfort in Heaven. The rich man begged Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead to tell his brothers about the torment he was experiencing in Hades. Abraham reminded him that even a man back from the dead would not convince them. Those people will receive all that they are going to get right here on this earth. Just know, we are sent out to tell everyone, even those that who will never allow the truth to penetrate their hearts.

He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'" Luke 16:31

Monday, February 20, 2017

February 20

Every now and then, as you listen to someone preach the Word of God, you pick up tidbits of information that the Holy Spirit emphasizes. My pastor was preaching on temptation and brought up the point that you should pray for God to call on His angels to help you in your weakness. This is where my ears perked up. God's angels are there for His help and ours! How awesome is that! They are not sent to help unbelievers, so if an unbeliever says they were helped by an angel, they are mistaken. I'm not saying that they didn't have some type of spiritual intervention, but you can believe that their help didn't come from God's army of angels! Know that you, a believer, can call out for help and His angels are sent to assist you and guard you in all your ways. If you love Him and accept Jesus as your Savior, He will deliver you and He will protect you. Just another benefit of being a child of the King!

Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? Hebrew 1:14

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. Psalms 91:11-12

Sunday, February 19, 2017

February 19

What a beautiful morning! The fog is as thick as pea soup. You say: Well, how do you know it's a beautiful morning? Because, there is a coolness in the air that makes the temperature just right, the birds are singing their song, and I'm on the right side of the dirt! God still has use for me on this earth, so he gave me another morning to spread the good news about Jesus. We need to make the best of the moments we are given, He expects for us to be good stewards of our time as well as our resources. Our life, breath, and entire being belong to our Master; we don't own anything, even the things we call our own belong to Him. He is the one who breathed life into our lungs, so even our breath is borrowed! We are all part of the Father's household, servants of the Most High God, so stop praying like He owes you something, He doesn't, but you owe Him everything! Starting today, give Him your all!

And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? Luke 16:12